History 1980s

1980 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1980 International Swedish Rally

Date: February 15–17, 1980

Host Country: Sweden

Surface: Snow / Ice

Total Distance: 413.50 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 120 crews

Total Finishers: 53 crews

The 1980 Swedish Rally maintained its reputation as one of the fastest and most specialized events on the WRC calendar. With snow-packed roads, frozen lakes, and snowbanks replacing barriers, the rally rewarded bravery and total vehicle control. Swedish driver Anders Kulläng, co-driven by Bruno Berglund, gave Opel its first WRC victory by delivering a calculated and confident drive in the new Ascona 400, holding off local favorites and factory powerhouses alike.

Route

Torsby Loops: Technical sections through forest lanes with icy crests and sharp turn-ins.
Hagfors & Arvika Zones: High-speed stretches with massive snowbanks used as cornering aids.
Frozen Lake Crossings: Flat-out but slippery, with studded tires essential for traction and braking stability.

Staged primarily around Karlstad and the Värmland region, the route featured fast, flowing snow-covered gravel roads and frozen forest paths ideal for high-speed drifting.

Conditions were near perfect—sub-zero temperatures preserved consistent snow cover throughout, providing stable grip for well-prepared teams.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Anders Kulläng & Bruno Berglund · Opel Ascona 400
2nd Place
Stig Blomqvist & Björn Cederberg · Saab 99 Turbo
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & David Richards · Ford Escort RS1800

Kulläng’s measured pace and total confidence in the Ascona 400’s handling allowed him to outperform even the homegrown Saab and seasoned Escort entries, earning a celebrated win on Swedish snow.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbanks: Useful for precision driving, but punished late braking or oversteer with instant stage losses.
  • Studded Tire Management: Critical for grip—teams had to protect studs on mixed-surface transitions and longer stages.
  • Blinding Snow Spray: Trailing drivers often struggled with visibility in narrow forest stages, forcing gaps and alternate pacing strategies.

The 1980 Swedish Rally was a breakthrough for both Kulläng and Opel—combining home-field mastery with clever mechanical setup to topple the traditional Scandinavian front-runners.

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